Baptism Policy
Baptismal Policy
Active Church membershipThe baptism of any child is one of the more joyful events in the life of the congregation. We stress, in the life of the congregation because the context is one of active membership of the congregation. We would expect regular Church attendance as part of that active membership. Only in exceptional circumstances would a baptism be performed where neither of the parents is a current member of the Church - for example, where parents are now in the Forces, and the minister is basically acting on behalf of a military chaplain who currently has pastoral responsibility - or where former members having moved away have subsequently expressed a desire to have the baby baptised in their former Church. Again the minister would be acting with the permission and blessing of their current minister or pastor.
Those who have disagreements with Church authorities in other congregations and denominations are asked to seriously face up to the issues, particularly if in your former congregation you were asked to take more seriously the profession of Christian faith that is required in every Church, and the consistent Christian life style that ought to accompany such a profession. Only with great caution would the leadership of the congregation (minister and elders) discuss such circumstances. Presbyterian Church law specifically forbids ministers and Kirk Sessions from interfering in the affairs of other Presbyterian congregations.
Those who do not belong to any congregation are of course welcome to join and should be well settled in the congregation before seeking baptism. Short lived Church membership, in which the family disappears after a baptism, leaving others to conclude that the Church was used is disheartening and a sham.
This leads us on to the other issues which we ask parents to consider:
A Profession of Christian Faith
Every denomination requires a profession of faith, because baptism is understood as being a sacrament, something special that Jesus instituted, for his followers. There is no such thing as ANY denomination cutting out the vows. Different Churches may have different understandings and different emphases, but the bottom line is faith in God the Father as our Creator, a simple, sincere love for Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, and a dependence upon the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and empower us as we seek to live for God.
In expressing faith, parents are also expressing trust in God for the future and are mindful of examples of godly parents in the Scriptures and promises that God made to them.
From Biblical times, people have understood God's promises as being for believers and their children. In our denomination we give strong emphasis on children as part of the Church fellowship. Strong emphasis is given on the spiritual heritage we pass down to our children. Church is something we do together. Faith is to be shared across the generations.
Even where only one of the parents feels able to take the vows, we prefer both parents to attend any classes that have been arranged.
Who can be baptised?
You will occasionally see an adult being baptised in the Presbyterian Church - an adult who has never been baptised before but someone who in later life has come to a personal faith in Jesus Christ. Indeed, you will occasionally see pictures of missionaries baptising whole families together - parents being baptised on their own profession of faith, and then the children being baptised, again on the parent's profession of faith. We however, do NOT rebaptise people who have been baptised as children. On this point we disagree most strongly with denominations that do.
Parents who were never baptised themselves as children would be asked to consider, as a matter of consistency, being baptised themselves, since they are making the same profession of faith regarding their children. While this is not actually demanded by Presbyterian Church law in Ireland, it would be totally consistent with our historical understanding of the sacrament as being for believers and their children.
Since most folk who are reading this are about to make an enquiry about the baptism of a child, the rest of our discussion here continues along those lines.
An official leaflet of the Presbyterian Church (1987) comments:
What is required of parents for the baptism of their child?
In the Presbyterian Church the baptism of a child can only take place where at least one parent professes faith in Jesus Christ. This faith will show itself in love for Christ, obedience to God in everyday life, interest in the life and work of the Church including regular attendance at public worship. Some people think that a child may be baptised even if parents are not regular Churchgoers, or do not have a real faith, or are not yet married. This is not so. Baptism belongs to the Christian Church, to practising Christians and their children.
The leaflet quotes the vows:
In presenting this child for baptism do you profess your faith in God as your Creator and father, in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, and in the Holy Spirit as your Sanctifier and Guide?
Will you, by God's help, provide a Christian home, and bring up this child in the worship and teaching of the Church, so that your child may come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour?
(At the baptism, the Minister also puts a question to the congregation, basically along the lines of how important their role is in influencing and encouraging the children in the congregation.)
The leaflet concludes:
Parents should examine their own lives to see if they are true Christians and can honestly answer these questions before God and the Church. Where baptismal vows are kept, God's blessing will come upon child and home. Where neither parent is able to profess faith in Jesus Christ baptism will be delayed for the present, because a false profession is a sin. Such parents should commit their lives to Christ, for the best start a child can have is a Christian home.
What if I am not married?
The issue arises because you are (1) claiming to be someone who loves God and His ways, and (2) you are promising to give the child a Christian background, a Christian home, and a living example of a Christian life - all with God's help and strength, of course.
The Kirk Session of Donemana has the greatest sympathy for anyone raising a child on his or her own and is prepared to discuss your situation with you.
Baptisms have taken place where the parent taking the vows is unmarried. We cannot, however, see a situation in which it would be acceptable for an unmarried couple to take the vows together.
Couples who are in a relationship are asked to consider marriage first before baptism, as living together without seeking God's blessing upon your relationship is a contradiction for those who are promising to give the child a Christian home and since you are asking for God's blessing upon the child or children of the relationship, why not seek God's blessing upon the relationship itself? A stable home, in which parents are clearly committed to each other in a loving and permanent relationship, is a wonderful gift to give your child. The family unit is something that God has given to us and we should do all we can to strengthen family and to give kids the security that comes with a happy, stable family environment.
Why baptise anyway?
Baptism uses picture language. Just as the Gospel is all about Jesus making our lives new, cleansing us from our sins as we experience His forgiveness through what He did for us on the Cross, baptism uses water as a picture sign or symbol for what Jesus does for us. The baptism itself does not make the child a Christian, but its symbolism reminds us of that desire we have for the child one day to come to faith and trust in Jesus for himself, or herself. Christian parents are expressing their hope and prayer for that future event. It is fulfilled when the child comes to faith.
Baptisms should not be done out of superstitious fear or to please other members of the family. Grandparents, unless they are the legal guardians, cannot take the vows.
Those who have the legal responsibility for the child's upbringing take vows.
Special Circumstances
Respect for all parties who have legal parental responsibility for a child is important. Where a relationship has broken up, or parents have remarried, please do not embarrass the congregation by causing us to behave, unwittingly, against the wishes of a former husband or wife who still has rights and responsibilities as a father or mother.
There comes a point where the Session must say that a child is fast approaching the age where he or she will have to take the promises for him or herself.
Please accept our guidance regarding older kids. We look to the day when they will be baptised (for the first and only time) either by sprinkling or the pouring of a little water, on their own profession.
Is there an alternative?
There have been occasions when a parent has said "I honestly can't get up there and say that." Refreshing honesty is always welcome, and in response to that many congregations have had dedications, where prayers have been said for the child and the parents. The child can always be baptised at a later date when one of the parents is able to take the vows honestly, or, as we have explained above, when the child is able to take the vows personally.
Having said that, the disappointing thing about dedications is the failure of parents to come to faith. What God wants is Mums and Dads who come to love Jesus. Back to top